Top 100 Wines of 2014
My colleague Nick Stock and I posted more than 10,000 tasting notes on JamesSuckling.com in the past year; with all the great wines among them, it was difficult to pick the best.
The Top 100 Wines of 2014 below are based primarily on ratings. I considered all wines that scored 96 points or more during the past 11 months, and that had at least 6,000 bottles in production. Finally, I ordered the wines according to what I thought were the most exciting: the ones with the wow factor.
I obviously didn’t consider price: most are expensive and it’s a shame that high quality in winemaking mostly has such a high price tag. New World regions such as New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Argentina seem to have a better handle on great wines for reasonable prices.
That said, my Wine of the Year is Viña Cobos Malbec Perdriel Luján de Cuyo Cobos 2011. It’s not only a perfect wine, but also represents the greatness of the wines of Argentina, which offer incredible excitement at every level of wine drinking. I went to Argentina twice this year and I was amazed what I discovered. This is a country that is clearly on the fast track to making wines that compete with the best of the world. The country is no longer just making clichéd blockbuster reds but also wines that show structure, tension and harmony, with unique character from the soils and climates associated with the Andes. Combine this with the malbec grape, and you have a special character that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
Drinking a bottle of the Viña Cobos Malbec Perdriel Luján de Cuyo Cobos 2011 is certainly a unique experience. What intrigues me is how it is so rich and intense while remaining lively, almost electrifying. It is so aromatic and not just super-fruity, with floral and wet-earth character buttressing the pure fruit. Its structure reminds me of great vintages of Napa Valley’s Harlan while an underlying tension gives it form and liveliness. It’s already closing down since the first time I tasted it but this is a good sign for any great wine at this stage in its evolution.
I could have easily picked a perfect bottle of Penfolds Grange like the 2010, and almost did. The No. 2 wine in the list remains the pinnacle in Australian winemaking. And it could be the best ever. Its density and power is unequalled among recent vintages of Grange.
The same could be said of my No. 3 wine of 2014, Masseto 2011. There is no wine more collectible from Italy, and the 2011 is a 100-point beauty that could outshine the legendary 2001 in the long term. The pure merlot’s depth of fruit and character is unparalleled this year in Italy.
I also considered as my Wine of the Year the glorious Château Guiraud 2011. This is clearly an amazing wine for the money, with bottles costing about US$70. And it shows all the depth, richness and structure one could possibly expect in a great sweet wine.
Then, of course, there was the pinot noir of Peter Michael Winery of California. Some people probably think that PM only makes great cabernets, but its pinots are equally compelling.
No. 6, Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, illustrates how great 2011 is for dry white Bordeaux, while No. 7, Aldo Conterno Barolo Romirasco, highlights the wonderful possibilities of the 2010 vintage for Barolo. The vintage made some harmonious nebbiolos that have excellent structure but remain balanced and refined, giving them drinkability.
Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Block 5 2012 and Seña Valle de Aconcagua 2012 are at No. 8 and No. 9, and they are equally drinkable but are both true to the greatness of their respective countries. Pinot noir is a standout in New Zealand, as is cabernet sauvignon in Chile. Both wines show great complexity and elegance.
And finally, at No. 10, Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra Brut 2006 is one of the best 2006 champagnes yet released, with layers of character and bone-dry intensity.
Top 100 Wines of 2014 – Click for notes and scores.
1. Viña Cobos Malbec Perdriel Luján de Cuyo Cobos 2011
2. Penfolds Shiraz South Australia Grange Bin 95 2010
4. Château Guiraud Sauternes 2011
5. Peter Michael Winery Pinot Noir Fort Ross Seaview Sonoma County Le Caprice 2012
6. Domaine de Chevalier Blanc Pessac-Léognan 2011
7. Aldo Conterno Barolo Romirasco 2010
8. Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Block 5 2010
9. Seña Valle de Aconcagua 2012
10. Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra Brut 2006
11. Trinity Hill Syrah Hawke’s Bay Homage 2010
12. Salon Champagne Brut Blanc De Blancs 2002
13. Elio Grasso Barolo Runcot Riserva 2008
14. Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon Clare Valley 2012
15. Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cerretta 2010
16. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2011
17. Chateau La Mission-Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan Blanc 2011
18. Penfolds Shiraz South Australia St. Henri 2010
19. Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay Kumeu Mate’s Vineyard 2011
20. Tua Rita Toscana Redigaffi 2012
21. Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux Bordeaux 2011
22. Achaval Ferrer Malbec Luján de Cuyo Finca Bella Vista 2011
23. Roberto Voerzio Barolo Fossati Case Nere Reserve 10 Anni 2004
24. Vietti Barolo Villero Riserva 2007
25. Peter Michael Winery Chardonnay Knights Valley Ma Belle-Fille 2012
26. Bibi Graetz Toscana Testamatta 2011
27. Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2011
28. Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier Canberra District 2013
29. Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Solari 2010
30. Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series 2010
31. Emiliana Valle de Colchagua Los Robles Estate Ge 2010
32. Araujo Estate Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard Napa Valley 2011
33. By Farr Pinot Noir Geelong Sangreal 2012
34. Montes Valle de Colchagua Purple Angel 2011
35. Zuccardi Malbec Altamira Valle de Uco Aluvional Altamira 2012
36. Tenuta Sette Ponti Toscana Oreno 2012
37. Viñedo Chadwick Valle del Maipo 2012
38. Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Howell Mountain 2010
39. San Polino Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum 2009
40. Oakridge Chardonnay Yarra Valley 864 Willowlake 2012
41. Romano Dal Forno Amarone Della Valpolicella 2008
42. Renzo Marinai Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2010
43. Henschke Shiraz Eden Valley Hill Of Grace Vineyard 2009
45. Viña Cobos Bramare Malbec Luján de Cuyo Marchiori Vineyard 2011
46. Penfolds Chardonnay South Australia Yattarna Bin 144 2012
47. Dandelion Vineyards Shiraz Red Queen Of The Eden Valley 2012
48. Pol Roger Champagne Sir Winston Churchill 2002
49. Peter Michael Winery Chardonnay Knights Valley Mon Plaisir 2012
50. Niepoort Douro Robustus 2009
51. Cantina Terlan Alto Adige Porphyr Riserva 2011
52. Zenato Amarone Classico Della Valpolicella Sergio Zenato Riserva 2008
53. Roberto Voerzio Barolo La Serra 2010
54. San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico Cellole Gran Selezione Riserva 2010
55. Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Saint Helena Napa Valley Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 2010
57. Cullen Wines Margaret River Diana Madeline 2012
58. Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2010
59. La Spinetta Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina 2010
61. Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Napa Valley Hershey Vineyard 2011
62. Peter Lehmann Riesling Eden Valley Wigan 2014
63. Fx Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Wachau Dürnsteiner Liebenberg 2012
64. Ferrari Trento Giulio Ferrari 2002
65. Catena Zapata Chardonnay Gualtallary Valle de Uco Adrianna Vineyards White Bones 2010
66. Foradori Teroldego Vigneti Delle Dolomiti Sgarzon 2012
67. Elio Altare Barolo Cerretta 2010
68. Colgin Napa Valley Cariad 2011
70. Shafer Vineyards Stags Leap District Napa Valley Hillside Select 2011
71. Il Palagio Toscana Sister Moon 2011
72. Petrolo Toscana Galatrona 2012
73. Marchesi Antinori Toscana Solaia 2011
74. Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2011
75. Pio Cesare Barbaresco Il Bricco 2010
76. Petrolo Sangiovese Val d’Arno di Sopra Bogginanfora 2012
77. Errazuriz Valle de Aconcagua Don Maxmiano Reserva 2012
78. Duemani Cabernet Franc Costa Toscana 2011
79. Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Coste Di Rose 2010
80. Alta Vista Valle de Uco Alto 2010
81. Tenuta di Biserno Toscana Biserno 2011
82. Montepeloso Toscana Gabbro 2011
83. Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione 2011
84. Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011
85. Damilano Barolo Cannubi 2010
86. Marchesi Antinori Umbria Cervaro Della Sala 2012
87. Concha Y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Valle del Maipo Don Melchor Puente Alto 2010
88. Fontanafredda Barolo La Rosa 2010
89. Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 2011
90. Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato 2010
91. Numanthia Toro Termanthia 2011
92. Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Enrico Vi 2010
93. Cheval Des Andes Luján de Cuyo Las Compuertas 2011
94. Château Lafleur Pomerol 2011
95. Castello Dei Rampolla Toscana Sammarco 2010
96. Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc Pessac-Léognan 2011
97. Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche 2010
98. Cantina Terlano Alto Adige Terlaner I 2011